Houston voters tonight have chosen an out lesbian as their next mayor, making the city the largest in the U.S. to elect an openly LGBT chief executive.

Annise Parker, who was endorsed by the Victory Fund, won her runoff election against Gene Locke, a former city attorney, after a yearlong campaign that drew national attention both because of the potential for a history-making outcome and because of coordinated anti-gay campaigns designed to prevent her victory.

Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Victory Fund, said the win was significant not just for Houston, but for all LGBT Americans. ”This is a watershed moment in American politics. One of the largest cities in the country will be headed by an out lesbian, chosen by people who voted for her because of her experience and competence. Houston rejected the politics of division and the extremists failed,” Wolfe said. ”After a bittersweet political year for the LGBT community, it’s nice to be able to smile this wide.”

Parker thanked the Victory Fund: “I am so grateful to the Victory Fund and its supporters for believing in this campaign from the beginning. This race was about the future of Houston, and whether we will face that future proud to be an open, welcoming, and fair-minded city. Tonight Houstonians said yes to a future like that, and I am glad the Victory Fund helped make that happen.”

Wolfe also thanked the Houston’s GLBT Political Caucus, which was once headed by Parker. ”The GLBT Political Caucus put a lot of hard work into this election, and nobody wanted this win more than they did. It’s a great organization, and they deserve our thanks and appreciation,” Wolfe said.